Late Winter Blooms

 It is hard to believe that spring is just a few days away. This winter has flown by with so many family happenings as well as personal events that took over much of my focus and time. 

 The big El Nino we were counting on to bring us relief from the long drought has been rather winpy to say the least, but there is still more rain in the forecast and the mountain tops are covered with snow, a good sign.

I haven't spent any time in the gardens up until this week, but they have been soaking up the rain and the record breaking heat in February and there are signs of growth everywhere. I am delighted that the abutilons I searched for all over last year have settled in and are blooming like crazy in all the shady gardens that were so bare. I absolutely love their charming blooms as do the hummingbirds. Their structure is a bit leggy and sparse still, but I am hoping they will fill in this spring. I learned the hard way not to prune them too hard because they are slow growers so I am just leaving them alone to allow them to spread out in their light and airy fashion. Because they prefer the shade, they don't seem too bothered by the lack of rain last year and are good sports almost everywhere I have planted them. I am going to figure out how to cut some branches and bring them in the house too.

For The Birds

 The Fall is such a wonderful time of year for gardeners in Southern California. It is the best time of year to plant almost anything other than tropicals since the soil is still warm, the air is still mild (or at least in theory) and the rainy season is on its way. Plants like trees, shrubs and perennials planted in the fall have a chance to establish their root systems in the warm soil before the spring growing season starts, giving them a distinct head start. However we have been having such hot weather along with the continuing drought, it has just not been the right conditions for doing any planting yet. This hasn't kept me away from the nurseries though, as I dream of cooler days to come.

 Instead of bringing home plants doomed to struggle in the heat, I decided to enhance my bird friendly accessories in the way of a few pretty new birdhouses and a new feeder to hold nyger seeds. Rodents don't like these bird seeds and since I stopped feeding the birds a few years ago due to the growing population of rats and mice that were making the feeders their local dining preference, I'm hoping this will attract the small songbirds that do like the seeds.

There is something about the light that is especially lovely this time of year. The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting cooler and soon it will be time again to focus on the indoors and family and holidays, but hopefully there will be a window of opportunity to replace many of the plants that have disappeared during this long, hot dry summer, that just couldn't tolerate another year of drought.

A Woodland Feeling

If you asked me for my philosophy on garden design, it would probably involve something about creating a specific ambiance in the garden. I wish I could say for certain what this charming mauve plant that I put in a few weeks ago is called, but the label is long gone. I'm guessing it is some sort native or wold foxglove. I absolutely love it because they have been blooming constantly since they were planted (this was five one-gallon plants) and they make the dappled shade under the pepper trees look downright woodland-like, an ambiance I am particularly fond of that is not easy to pull off in a drought. They are tall enough to have a nice proportion over the boxwood hedges that border this "island." But the best part is that the hummingbirds love them and they come down to eye level to enjoy them while we are sitting nearby in the garden! I really should go back and see if the nursery has any more while this cool weather hangs around, extending out planting season!

Going Organic

If you look closely at the bottom left hand corner of this view of the Laguna garden looking down from the deck, you will see a little plastic saucer on a tall pole sticking out. This is a left over relic from when I first changed my garden over to an all organic garden about fifteen years ago. I was frustrated with how horrible my garden looked from all the insect damage when I first went all  organic. I used to laugh and tell people that you could tell it was an organic garden because it looked so bad. But I knew that this was not typical and that there were many people with lovely organic gardens, but somehow I was missing something. With research I learned that I needed to attract insect-eating birds to my garden, but I was not sure how. I went to a wild bird seed store and asked the clerk there and he sold me that contraption in the picture along with a container of live mealy worms to keep in my refrigerator.  Every few days I would squeamishly add those horrible worms to that bird feeder and wait. Eventually it worked and after all these years I challenge anyone to find more than a few traces here and there of any insect damage. All the plants are fed with compost from the garden only and are strong and resilient. The garden is filled with life, bees, butterflies, birds and even bugs and insects as would any lovely garden. It took about three years after cutting out all pesticides and chemical fertilizers for the garden to stabilize and become what it is today - beautiful, thriving and naturally alive!

All Good Things

It seems like it took a long time to have the SJC garden become much of a sanctuary for birds. I wasn't sure if it was because there were really not many bird friendly plants before I transformed the gardens or if it was because of the large quantity of crows in the area, but there was not much variety for a while. I remember going to a backyard bird feeding store once years ago (whatever happened to those?) and the proprietor explained to me that I had to attract birds somehow and once I got a few, the others would realize that the area was safe and more would come to make their home in my gardens. Well, now we have birds! Most of the houses are filled along with nests in the climbing roses, nests on the ground that have fallen out of the new trees, and even nests behind the outdoor TV by the pool (I also have to attract sports loving men). The other evening DH and I were in the garden enjoying the late day sun and we could hardly hear each other for the chatter of baby bird demanding food! Birds are an important element in an organic garden because they dine on bugs and help keep the balance. I'm not sure what finally got the birds to feel comfortable. I quit filling the feeders a couple years ago because they were attracting rats at night, so there is no additional seeds to bring them in, but there are plenty of trees, berries, naturally occurring seeds and fruit. There are a few sources of water including running water that attract them (as well as the bees). I have noticed that there are not so many crows around this year. A few crows and ravens seem to live around here but the large roving flocks that would sometimes descend on the property have all but disappeared. Whatever the reason we are thrilled to have the wrens, sparrows, grosbeaks, orioles, tanagers, finches, hummingbirds, phoebes, and owls visit the garden. Would an occasional swallow be to much to ask?

Bird Abodes

I am on a quest to attract birds to my SJC garden. I know they are around, they just don't seem to make it into the garden where we can enjoy them. I've had to abandon my bird feeders because although they fed the birds by day, they became rat feeders after dark. I know we will always have rats in the garden, they actually do some good by controlling the snails and slugs, but I prefer not to put out a buffet to attract more than necessary. I have hung some new bird houses and hopefully they will be occupied this spring. Nothing fancy, but simple and practical. Hopefully the birds will think so too.

No Vacancy

I do not put out birdseed anymore. It is more than an attraction for the birds, it is a staple for the rats. They live amongst all of us like the birds, just a bit more clandestinely and certainly less welcome. I miss watching the birds at the feeders, but I find consolation in the fact that the gardens are filled with plenty of fruits, seeds, berries and running water to keep the birds happy without any additional sources from the pet food store. Proof is that every year without fail there are baby birds in all the birdhouses scattered through the Laguna garden. I regret to admit that these houses do not get cleaned out annually as recommended, at least not by me, but the birds do not seems to mind any mess left by the previous tenants and settle in comfortably. The sounds of hungry baby birds fill the garden with another sensory delight. The sound of nature's music.

Up With The Birds

One of the best things about our home in Laguna is that it is built on a hillside. The house and deck are at the same level as the top of the trees that are in the garden below. This allows for some great birdwatching! I took this picture of what might be a goldfinch (???) early one morning in the fog last weekend. In Laguna there seem to be many more birds than at our SJC house. I'm not sure if it is because there is more wilderness in close proximity or it is just easier to spot them because of the tree top thing. It is such a delight to spend time with them when we are staying in town.

The Lure of Running Water

One of the easiest ways to attract wildlife to a garden is to include water features, especially those with running water. The sound of running water adds a pleasant dimension to a garden that is hard to duplicate with any other source. We were lucky enough to have running water features in both of our homes when we bought them and I can't imagine living without them. We have spent many happy hours sitting and watching the life around the fountains and ponds in our yards. Even at night the croaking of frogs is a pleasant melody from deep in the Laguna garden.
As it turns out, it is not only the wildlife and people that appreciate the running water, but overzealous pets get in the act too!

Spreading Around the Ambiance

This scene is on the small patio outside our family room in SJC. That is Spanish moss hanging from the candelabra, my touch of ambiance. Every morning when I open the door, some of the moss is spread out all over the table. It seems that the birds have discovered it and are thrilled about adding it to their nests. It is easy to see how it spreads so readily throughout the south where the humidity helps it thrive. Propagation of this bromeliad is incredibly easy. Just pull off a piece and hang it somewhere else. Or let the birds do it!

Not Big Enough?

While walking by this little wooden birdhouse in the garden the other day I couldn't help but notice that it was looking a bit tattered. Upon close inspection it actually looks like something has been gnawing away at it around the opening. The only birds that use this house that I have noticed are little house wrens, but maybe a much bigger bird is considering moving in!

Sorry Little Buddies

Between the shopping, cooking, planning for house guests, holiday parties, a sick husband and the inclement weather I must admit that the bird feeders have been neglected for some time now. When I went out to take pictures for the blog I realized I had left my waterproof garden shoes out in the rain so they were no use in wading through the muddy paths and beds, at least for a while. I will have to add the bird feeders to my to-do list or they will never get filled this season!

Embracing Imperfection

'Royal Sunset' Climbing Rose

One of the key concepts of organic gardening that is sometimes forgotten is the notion of learning to live with a little imperfection. There are going to be bugs, they are a part of nature as much as anything else and they are going to be attracted to any garden. In a well-balanced organic garden the plants will have a bit of damage from insects, but rarely is it to the extent that it is unbearable. But the bugs also mean there are going to be birds, animals and butterflies in the garden which add interest, sound and movement. Not a bad trade off in my opinion.

Hummingbird Entertainment

Inside the window behind this abutilon plant is my treadmill. I spend a tortuous half hour on it a number of times a week and the one thing that is pleasant about the whole experience (other than when it is over) is that the hummingbirds love visiting the abutilon and are constantly flitting around it while I work out.

Perfectly Constructed

We have a TV outside mounted under an overhang. It is one way to get DH outside during baseball/football season. The other day we noticed two little finches flying back and forth to the TV and on closer inspection realized that they were constructing a nest in the bracket holding the TV. This is no place to raise young ones (due to the start of baseball season) and so we decided to take the nest down, unless there were already eggs in it. Luckily the birds had not laid any eggs yet so it came down and we turned on the overhead fan, hoping the movement would discourage further construction in the area. The nest is perfectly assembled with an outside made up of woven twigs and palm threads and the inside a soft composition of fluffy plant materials and downy feathers. I hope the finches weren't too disappointed and found another spot to raise their young.

Wild Crocosmia

Crocosmia is a volunteer in my Laguna garden, having jumped the fence from the fields on the other side. I do appreciate it for its ease and enthusiasm, and because the hummingbirds are particularly fond of the orange tubular flowers. Unfortunately it spreads like crazy and in no time at all creates a thick stand that chokes out other plants. I remove it vigorously from this spot it especially loves in with the roses and clematis, but leave it down in the more natural areas of the garden. It is unfazed by my efforts to control it and returns every year to rub leaves with the more cultured flowers, much like a horticultural bull in a china shop.

Pomegranates For The Birds

Our pomegranate tree (okay, it's more like a very large shrub) is filled with the lovely red fruit every fall and although we love them, we usually don't get around to picking them in time. Eventually they split open and the birds have a feast, which is just fine with us!

Hummingbirds Love Kangaroo Paws

Kangaroo Paws (anigozanthos) are a new addition to my front garden this year. I must admit it has taken a while for them to grow on me, but they seemed to fit in well among the Bird of Paradise and the orangish-gold wall. Their foliage is rather boring when they are not in bloom, but they have stunning stalks of vibrant, fuzzy flowers that the hummingbirds love, so they can't be all bad!

Sorry Birds, The Fern Has Moved In

I purchased this faux - faux bois birdbath from a catalog a few months ago and was rather disappointed in it as a birdbath. The bowl was really deep and the birds just sat on the side trying to figure out how to get into the water without drowning. It was hard to clean and still even worse, the paint was peeling off in the water! A trip to the nursery and a small tree fern, a couple maidenhair ferns that were looking a bit ragged in the house and some Scottish moss and viola! A lovely planter! Sorry birds, I promise to buy a new birdbath.

Western Tanager Homes

Every year a number of Western tanagers make their nests in the over-sized leaves of our banana trees. This year the bananas were sparse due to the need to thin them out and so the birds chose to nest in the giant bird-of-paradise leaves. They build stringy nests out of fibers from palm trees. They attach the nests so they hang down under the leaves. They are typically up too high in the trees to really observe the babies, but I always find nests in the garden after the first strong winds towards the end of summer.